We hold records relating to our pupils from the 1390s, records relating to the foundation of the school, court books and court rolls of manors held by Winchester College, registers of leases and title deeds relating to our extensive estates, annual accounts from 1394, schoolboy letters and diaries, and much more.
Uniquely, the archives are housed in the same rooms built for their storage in the 1390s, situated in the heart of our ancient buildings, and due to the quality of that provision remain remarkably well preserved.
Some of our resources have been digitised and can now be seen online. These include registers of pupils, the school magazine (published since 1866), and a published catalogue of the archives.
In addition to being available to the school community, the College Archives are also open to anyone interested in our pupils, our estates or our buildings. We welcome enquiries about all aspects of the school’s history. Access to the archives is by appointment throughout the year.
For more information or to make an enquiry or an appointment to visit, please contact the College Archivist, Suzanne Foster.
The archives also include details of all pupils who served in the First and Second World Wars and other conflicts. A dedicated website provides information on all these pupils.
Public tours of the archives run once per month and are delivered by the College Archivist, Suzanne.
Archives tours explore two of the medieval rooms which house the school’s Archives, and include a display of documents and artefacts relating to the school’s history.
Tours for special interest groups are also offered subject to availability. To enquire about private bookings, please contact the College Archivist, Suzanne Foster.
